ALLY McCoist tonight compared Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor to England legend Gordon Banks following his astonishing last-minute save against Slavia Prague - and urged Steven Gerrard to hand him a new two year deal.
The 39-year-old ensured that Steven Gerrard’s side drew the first leg of their last 16 double header in the Eden Arena 1-1 when he managed to get a hand to a Lukas Masopust header that was destined for the bottom corner of his net.
Ibrox icon McCoist, who was working for BT Sport, was astonished by what he witnessed at the end of the game in the Czech Republic and instantly likened McGregor to Banks.
Banks made what is widely considered to be the greatest save of all-time when he palmed a header from Brazilian great Pele wide of his goal in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
“What a save!” said McCoist. “Ridiculous. To get to it is one thing, to hold onto it is another thing entirely. The header was remarkable, the save even better.
“It’s not a barrier at all to Allan. He made a remarkable save to deny Leigh Griffiths at Ibrox (in January), but that tonight is taking it to another level.
“The ball is actually behind him, it’s a phenomenal save. That save is as good a save as I have seen in years. It gets better every time you see it.
“Like I say, getting down to it is one thing, but retrieving it the way he did was just astonishing.
“It’s gone from one of the best saves this season to one of the best saves ever. I’m thinking of Banks, obviously, but that is up there.”
McCoist, who is Rangers’ all-time record goalscorer and spent a spell as manager at Ibrox, has now urged Steven Gerrard to hand McGregor, who is out of contract in the summer, a new deal.
“Listen, I’ll be staggered if he’s not at the club next year, I think it’s an absolute certainty,” he said. “I’d give him a two-year deal.”
“He deserves a new deal, first and foremost, but the manager is an intelligent man and he’s got a keeper playing at that level week in week out then age is no barrier.
“We could talk all night about who Rangers’ Player of the Year is. (Steven) Davis, (Connor) Goldson, (James) Tavernier and (Ryan) Jack are up there, but so too is Greegsy let me tell you.
“He had one save just before that one which forced the corner. He has done it week in week out for Rangers this season.”
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